Bodhi Blends🌿
Early this year @noavbodegom contacted me with a brand video proposal for Bodhi Blends for her final year project. The whole process has brought me deep into reflection and back to the ‘why’ I'm doing this. I must say it’s been pretty confronting realising that I haven’t kept this ‘why’ closer to me in the last few years amidst the never ending challenges of running a business and frankly the chaos in the world.
When I started Bodhi Blends I was so full of inspiration, so connected to the process of creating, of formulating, I felt deeply rooted in nature and totally clueless about the business-ness of it all. Then I was faced with the very real practicalities of running a business that seem so far away from my entry point- the paperwork, the pricing, the regulations, the packaging, the marketing, the barcodes (why?)- and that conveyor belt does not stop. Those things need to be constantly maintained and paid attention to. Over time my big, radiant, grandiose ‘why’ became smaller, more quiet, a sweet little sideline player with their hand timidly up waiting to be called into the game and too often overlooked.
Even when we were shooting this video my groomed-business-brain was coming to the fore with suggestions of product placement. But Noa reminded me that this wasn’t going to be another ad, the project was intended to convey more about the world inside the jars and bottles, the inspiration and soul behind the brand. This lil project has helped me tap right back into that wellspring of ‘why’, who has been mercifully forgiving of the neglect, generous with her welcome back. And I’m so grateful to Noa for facilitating this reconnection through this collaboration❤️
The Essence of Bodhi Blends
Client: @bodhiblends
Dir/dp/edit: @noavbodegom
AC: @aitanasilvana
Lighting assist: @jack_sonoffergus
Sound: @saoiseconnollyyyyy_
Bts: @amy_fingleton
Big thank you to @widescreenhire for providing us with gear for this shoot.
Special thanks to @craigstin , @markor_dop , @empix , @markcliche , @fleeting_devotion , and @aoifelenny , each of you helped the project move along, in your own way. It wouldn't be the same witho
What a fortunate girl I am.
Looking back at 2025, my year was split into two phases, connected by a central theme.
I vaguely remember talking to one of my friends early this year about my word for the year. “This year feels like it’s going to be about change.” I didn’t fully understand it then, though.
The first half of the year started with moving to a new city. Moving to a new room (a couple of times). Meeting tons of new people, including a bunch of new housemates. Trying new hobbies. My first internship. And discovering more about myself and what I want in life.
The summer was for exploring new cultures and places, like Albania and Ireland.
Then came the second half of the year.
Moved to a new country. A new city. New housemates (including a lovely host family). Meeting even more new people. Learning so many new things, big and small. A new internship. New dreams. And, overall, a bunch of new experiences.
This year was full of change, firsts, and a lot of unexpected turns of events.
If you know me, you know that I like change. I like switching things up to keep life exciting, and 2025, for me, is a testament to that. I thoroughly enjoyed this year, and thank you to everyone I met along the way who helped make that happen! 🤍
Cheers to 2026! 🥂✨
In some ways, it feels like only 3 weeks ago, and in others, like 3 years, that I arrived in Ireland for the first time. Oh, how time flies! In about a week, I'll be going back home for Christmas. So, in the spirit of reflecting on the year, here are some photos from my first weekend in Dublin. ☺️☘️🍺
Some thoughts I've been thinking about:
If you know me, you know that I love waterfalls, and this place was perhaps one of my favorite spots we visited in Albania.
We wanted to go for a swim, but getting to this location was a bit of a gamble. We were going to lose light fairly quickly, we weren’t sure if the waterfall was still running (since many places had dried up), and we didn’t even know if we could get there at all.
There were plenty of places we could go for a swim that were both closer to our Airbnb and more easily accessible.
To get to the waterfall, we had to do a short hike up the mountain in the 38°C burning heat. Our options: put in the effort to walk up, or turn back and settle for one of the spots we found along the way.
I often tell myself I'd rather regret doing something and having tried than regret not doing it and always wonder, "What if?"
This journey to the waterfall, though perhaps insignificant, reflects that mindset to me.
We could have stopped earlier and found a good spot along the drive. We would have enjoyed it, but from time to time I would still wonder what it would’ve been like at the waterfall.
I’ve been dreaming of living abroad for as long as I can remember. Tomorrow, I’ll be moving abroad for my internship.
There are many cool companies in the Netherlands that I'd enjoy interning at and it would've been easier to do so.
However, I decided I’d rather put in the effort to get where I truly want to go than settle for the easy route and forever wonder, "What if?"
It was about time for a new photoshoot, and this location was stunning! The flowers weren't even out yet so I can only imagine how pretty the garden is in the summer!
Road trip on film! 🇺🇲🇨🇦
Finally got my film roll developed! These were photos from my trip to the US and Canada last summer, love getting the pictures back cause you kinda forget/don't really know what you photographed untill you get them back after the development process🤍
The statue shows Hercules wearing the skin of the Nemean lion.
The statue is part of 17 other sandstone statues that William III bought between 1670 and 1686. The statues were spread over lawns in the Valkenberg park. Hercules is the only original statue left. This statue is said to have been fished out of the park's pond in 1887. A replica was made of this statue and placed in the Valkenberg park.
.
.
.
#canon #r7 #canonr7 #goldenhour #photowalk #breda #parc #hercules #photo #photography #streetphotography #lightroom #adobe #adobelightroom #snapseed #feedpreview #reels #reelsinstagram
Like a kid in a candy store on set for our short film campaign video🍭🎥 @studio27movie
.
.
.
#camerawork #dop #campaignvideo #blackmagic #film #filmphotography #photo #photography #canon #eos #60d #canoneos60d #lightroom #adobe #adobelightroom #snapseed #feedpreview #reels #reelsinstagram
